Horizon’s Di’Jonai Carrington, who is 5-feet-11, is averaging 20.3 points per game through 24 games. JAMES GREGG • U-T

To be considered a major impact player in girls basketball as a high school freshman, you have to be someone special.

Someone like former La Jolla Country Day sensation Candice Wiggins or Point Loma icon Terri Mann, each of whom led their schools to four straight state championship final appearances and in Mann’s case, four consecutive titles.

Those who have watched Horizon ninth-grader Di’Jonai Carrington are already putting her in that category.

At 5-feet-11, she’s the same height as Wiggins and a little shorter than Mann, but there so many similarities the comparisons are obvious — especially to Wiggins, who went on to lead Stanford to an NCAA title and currently plays with the WNBA Minnesota Lynx.

• Both Carrington and Wiggins played against boys and on boys teams early in their careers.

• Both had pro athletes as fathers — the late Alan Wiggins of the Padres and former Chargers standout Darren Carrington.

• Both honed their skills playing against older brothers.

• Carrington plays and Wiggins played with a fire rarely seen at the high school level, stepping up to guide their teams while managing to make older teammates only too happy to join in the fun by dishing out assists whenever teammates get open.

There are lots of differences, too.

For one, Wiggins’ 2000-01 LJCD team posted a 28-5 record en route to the state Division V title. Horizon (17-7) already has more than five losses, but much of that can be credited to playing in the Coastal League against the likes of Division IV La Jolla Country Day and Bishop’s.

And, while Wiggins was coached by Terri Bamford at LJCD, Carrington’s mother, Vickie, oversees Horizon’s program. As any teenager knows, that could produce gigabytes of problems on the court and at home.

Not with the Carringtons.

“Having your mom for the coach is both good and bad,” said Di’Jonai, who recently turned 15. “Sometimes it’s hard because even after the game is over it’s not over. But on the good side, if I have a question I’m not afraid to ask my mom or dad (Darren is the assistant coach).”

It’s not quite as clear cut for Vickie.

“As a parent of a player who is really good, you try hard not to show favoritism,” said the coach. “Having an older daughter (Di’Arra) helped. When I was coaching (club) basketball, I’d see parents get caught up way more than they should. You have to keep a balance.

“The biggest thing is treating each player the same way.”

It is also difficult for Vickie because Di’Jonai started getting involved when she was in the third grade. When Vickie’s summer team was short players, she dressed her daughter, not really planning to use her.

Three players fouled out and she had no choice but to play the third-grader against high school kids. No problem, she held her own. And that’s when Vickie knew for sure Di’Jonai was a special player.

After 24 games this year, Di’Jonai is averaging 20.3 points, second on the team. She leads the Panthers in assists (148), blocked shots (44), steals (105) and rebound average (12.5).